Travel to Cardiff
Whether you’re planning a vacation to Wales or just a day trip, travel to Cardiff, the fastest growing capital city in Europe, will provide a great journey back through history.
Recorded history of the area of the present day city dates to some time after AD 50, when the first fort was built by the Romans at a strategic point on the River Taff. A settlement grew up in the 11th century when Robert Fitzhamon, the Norman Lord of Gloucester, built a castle in the same area.
In Elizabethan times, Cardiff was a lawless and priate-infested port, but a century later, it had settled down to a sleep town. This changed in the 1800s when Cardiff became the largest coal-exporting port in the world. In 1955 it was proclaimed the Capital of Wales and thus became Europe’s youngest capital city.
Through the influences of the Romans, Normans, and the Industrial Revolution and coal, Cardiff has become a fascinating city to explore.
Travel to Cardiff to visit the history of Cardiff Castle
photo credit: fuzzytnth3
One of the city’s highlights is Cardiff Castle, given to the city by the last of its occupants, the Bute family. The castle houses a regimental museum with tours of the original castle ruins and the Victorian era restoration available. A visit to see the elegant interiors, decorated with stained glass, murals, elaborate wood carvings and marble will be a real treat.
If you have additional time when you travel to Cardiff, consider using a British Heritage Pass to explore the interesting historical areas in the area. Castell Coch, also reconstructed by William Burges for the Bute family, is perched on a hillside north of Cardiff. The lavish interiors reflect a similar Victorian excess.
Caerphilly Castle remains as one of the largest fortresses in Europe. You could easily spend many hours meandering through this massive site on a personalized tour back in history.
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